Roundup: Eagles Might Be Trading Up in the Draft (Again) Edition

With every second that passes between now and next Thursday, you’re likely to be bombarded with NFL Draft talk. It’s one of Kyle and I’s least favorite topics, so if you’re like us, I have a question for you: Did you know the Eagles may be interested in trading up for the number two pick? Did you also know it’s the only thing we should talk about for eight straight days? Let’s get to it.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter later noted, through a Browns source, that “there is interest in the pick,” but it remains “uncertain” whether Cleveland will trade down. If they do, the Eagles make sense after new coach Doug Pederson gushed over both Goff and Wentz on Monday …

NFL Media columnist Michael Silver believes the Rams favor Goff. That wouldn’t bother the Eagles, with Darlington noting that Pederson believes Wentz can become an “elite quarterback” at the NFL level. The Browns obviously feel differently, willing to pass on a position of dire need to accrue picks and begin their rebuild in earnest …

One sticking point for the Eagles: While they hold the eighth-overall pick, they lack a second-rounder and don’t pick again until No. 77. They also hold an additional third-rounder (No. 79), a fourth (No. 100), two fifths, a sixth and a pair of seventh-rounders.”

Marvez clarified later saying he meant BOTH thirds this year, and also next year’s third. That would mean the Eagles – who have holes at more than just QB – would not pick between #2 and #100. That’s huge.

Yahoo’s Charles Robinson laid out why he doesn’t think trading up to draft a QB when you have two being paid pretty well is that bad an idea (WARNING: It sounds like a Sam Hinkie idea):

Loading up with as many starting-quality candidates as possible and hoping for one to rise, well, that’s certainly an aggressive approach.

According to a source familiar with the Eagles’ thinking, this is what is going on inside the heads of the Philadelphia brain trust … The Eagles signed Bradford because they see him as capable of being at least a mid-level starter. Then they signed Chase Daniel, a QB Pederson believes is also a starting-level player. Now, after draft evaluations of Goff and Wentz, they believe both are capable of developing into cornerstones.

It might seem like bad timing to fall in love with Goff or Wentz so soon after signing two other quarterbacks to deals. But the Eagles positioned themselves in case this exact opportunity came along. While Daniel is positioned in the long-term as a high-end backup, the franchise structured Bradford’s two-year deal so that he could be easily cut after one season. Specifically, offset language in Bradford’s contract allows the Eagles to cut him in 2017, swallowing a reasonable salary cap hit of only $5.5 million. Perhaps more preferable, they could put him on the trade block immediately and see if another quarterback-needy franchise comes calling.

So … it’s … optionality? GET OUT OF SPORTS, NERDS!

Adam Schefter things the Eagles want to get the deal done ASAP:

“If it were up the Eagles today the deal would be done, but Cleveland is taking their time & being methodical, maybe another team ponies up”

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When he's not writing about sports here or ranting about them on Twitter, Jim is probably watching X-Files on Netflix or drinking a beer somewhere. Jim has nothing against hockey, it's just not his style. He once met Duce Staley at a Sixers game.

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